There may be no need for religion

There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. - Edith Wharton

The world struggles to accept differing religious views.  There may be a shift in accepting these differences among some in American as reflected in a recent CBS News interview conducted in November, 2011.  The results from 951 adults interviewed nationwide were presented in Vanity Fair’s February, 2012 magazine.  An overall acceptance of 54% by all interviewed reflect the world is a better place because of its religious diversity; but does such acceptance contribute to greater acceptance of humanity, or is a better way to spread peace and acceptance shared in the Dalai Lama’s newest book, Beyond Religion, Ethics for a Whole World.

In his newest book, the Dalai Lama shares his vision for nonreligious ways.  The “religious wars” are not leading to peace and acceptance. As an alternative, through the pages of this book he shares the need for a secular means of thinking.  His Holiness respects religion, Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, Evangelicals, and inclusive of all religious practices, but he dares to suggest there is an alternative way to live through secularism, the recognition of common humanity, contributing to a global human community based on understanding and mutual respect for one another.

The Dalai Lama notes in the acknowledgments of this book it is his “sincere hope that what is written here may contribute, in however small a way to building a more compassionate and more peaceful world.  Of course we are not going to change the world overnight.  And we will not change it with a short treatise such as this one.  Change will come gradually through increased awareness, and awareness will only come with education.  If the reader finds anything written here to be of benefit, then our endeavors will have been well rewarded.  A reader who finds no such benefit should not feel any awkwardness about setting this book aside.”  He further shares in the introduction, “… in today’s secular world, religion alone is no longer adequate as a basis for ethics.  One reason for this is that many people in the world no longer follow any particular religion.”  Since the world is globalized, “..ethics based on any one religion would only appeal to some of us.”  His most clear message is presented at the conclusion of the introduction, “Of course, all the world’s major religions, with their emphasis on love, compassion, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness, can and do promote inner values. But the reality of the world today is that grounding ethics in religion is no longer adequate.  This is why I believe the time has come to find a way of thinking about spirituality and ethics that is beyond religion.”

The chapter titles are:

Part I

1. Rethinking Secularism
2. Our Common Humanity
3. The Quest for Happiness
4. Compassion, the Foundation of Well-Being
5. Compassion and the Question of Justice
6. The role of Discernment
7. Ethics in Our Shared World

Part II

1.  Ethical Mindfulness in Everyday Life
2. Dealing with Destructive Emotions
3. Cultivating Key Inner Value
4. Meditation as Mental Cultivation

The level of respect bestowed upon the Dalai Lama allows great validity to consider the essence of living within, and creating, a secular world to create a world of peace, filled with compassion and respect for everyone, believers and non-believers.  In the end, all of mankind is human; sharing this common indisputable fact.

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